Vehicle exterior rearview mirror system with indicator module

ABSTRACT

An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a unitary indicator module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The unitary indicator module includes a plurality of illumination sources disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of the unitary indicator module. Light emitted by any of the illumination sources passes through the at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/794,111, filed Jun. 4, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,880,596,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/370,050,filed Feb. 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,760,111, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/994,471, filed Jan.2, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,492,281, which is a 371 national phaseapplication of PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5,2006, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/696,953, filed Jul. 6, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/784,570, filed Mar. 22,2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exterior rearview mirror assembliesand, more particularly, to an exterior rearview mirror assembly having ablind spot indicator and/or a lane change aid (LCA) indicator at themirror assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a blind spot detection/LCA system for a vehiclethat detects the presence of another vehicle or object in the lane nextto the host vehicle, where it may be difficult for the driver of thehost vehicle to determine whether or not there is another vehicle orobject adjacent to the host vehicle. Such a blind spot detection/LCAsystem often includes a visual indicator that visually indicates to thedriver that another vehicle or object has been detected. The visualindicator (commonly a light emitting diode or the like) is often locatedat the reflective mirror element of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly and external of the vehicle cabin, or may be located interiorto the vehicle, such as at the A-pillar of the vehicle within theinterior of the vehicle cabin (such as on MY 2005 Volvo vehicle modelsequipped with camera-based BUS systems). The visual blind spot/LCAindicators indicate or alert to the driver of the host vehicle thepresence or impending presence of another vehicle in a blind spot in anadjacent side lane that typically cannot be readily seen within thefield of view of the exterior mirror reflective element of the exteriormirror assembly mounted at that side of the vehicle and/or cannot bereadily seen by the driver's peripheral vision or the like. The visualblind spot/LCA indicators typically must be viewable principally orsolely by the driver of the host vehicle and not by drivers of othervehicles. If the indicator is located external to the vehicle cabin, andespecially since it is now common to use turn signals on exteriormirrors, any visibility of the indicator to the driver of anothervehicle (such as a trailing vehicle or an overtaking vehicle) may causeconfusion to the driver of the other vehicle as to whether or not theindicator is a turn signal indicator or some other vehicle lighting orthe like. This may be particularly problematic when the blind spotindicator is located behind (and often supported by) the reflectivemirror element of the vehicle exterior mirror assembly, and may beespecially confusing if other indicators are also disposedbehind/supported by the mirror reflective element so as to function, forexample, as turn signal indicators. For example, somewhat costly andcomplicated blind spot indicator constructions have been contemplatedthat, when placed behind and supported by the mirror reflective element,attempt to have their projected beam of emitted light shielded from viewby other drivers and attempt to be directed principally to be viewed bythe driver of the host vehicle. This can be further complicated by thefact that the mirror reflective element (and hence any blind spotindicator supported thereon/therebehind) is adjustable via a mirroractuator (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,755,544; 6,616,314;6,467,920; and 6,243,218, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties), so that the axis of principalillumination of the blind spot indicator will move with movement of themirror reflective element.

Thus, prior art blind spot/LCA indicators are often supported by and tothe rear of the movable mirror reflective element, so as to be viewableby a driver of the host vehicle through the reflective element of themirror assembly. For example, a transmissive window may be formed in thereflective coating or coatings of the reflective element and anillumination source or indicator may be positioned so as to direct oremit illumination through the window and toward the driver of the hostvehicle so as to be viewable by the driver of the host vehicle.Alternately, transflective mirror coatings (such as, for example, thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,855,431; 5,724,187; 5,340,503; 6,286,965;6,196,688; 5,535,056; 5,751,489; and 6,065,840, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties) may be used.

Because of vehicle regulations and mirror and vehicle configurations andgeometries, and because of the need to provide an uninterruptedreflective surface to satisfy the likes of the FMVSS 111 field of viewregulation, blind spot/LCA indicators in the prior art are typicallylocated towards or at the outboard edge, and typically towards or at theupper corner/quadrant, of the reflective mirror element of the exteriormirror assembly. Thus, the prior art blind spot/LCA indicators arelocated at a distal or furthest outboard location of the mirrorreflective element, such that the driver of the host vehicle typicallyhas to look across to the outboard dimension of the reflective elementto view and discern the blind spot indicator. Also, the blind spot/LCAindicators (when located at the reflective element so as to be viewablethrough the reflective element and when supported thereon such that theblind spot/LCA indicator moves in tandem with the mirror reflectiveelement when its field of view is adjusted by the driver to his/herpreferences) may be directed differently for different drivers. Theseprior art blind spot/LCA indicators thus are not provided at auniversally controllable angle or fixed angle relative to the geometryof the vehicle and thus may not be optimally directed for viewing bysome drivers, depending on the desired and set angle of the mirrorreflective element for the particular driver of the host vehicle and/ormay not be optimally directed for non-viewing by drivers of othervehicles, such as trailing or overtaking vehicles that are part of thetraffic encountered by the host vehicle.

A variety of interior and exterior mirror assemblies with indicators areknown in the art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,357; 6,257,746;6,005,724; 5,481,409; 6,512,624; 6,356,376; 2,263,382; 2,580,014;3,266,016; 4,499,451; 4,588,267; 4,630,904; 4,623,222; 4,721,364;4,906,085; 5,313,335; 5,587,699; 5,575,552; 5,938,320; and 5,786,772,Canadian Pat. No. CA 1,063,695, Pat. Abstracts of Japan Publication No.0917573, published Jul. 8, 1997, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved blind spot/LCAindicator that is readily viewable by a driver of the host vehicle andnot visible or viewable by a driver of another vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a blind spot indicator or lane changeassist (LCA) indicator that is fixedly located at the mirror shell orcasing and/or at a support arm of an exterior rearview mirror assembly,so as not to move or adjust when the mirror reflective element is movedor adjusted to set its field of view. Preferably, the blind spotindicator is fixedly located at the inboard wall or portion of themirror shell or casing, so as to be readily viewed by the driver of thehost vehicle, while being substantially non-visible or non-viewable by adriver of another vehicle. The blind spot/LCA indicator is preferablylocated at an angled, outwardly extending rearward portion of the mirrorassembly that is angled so as to slope or extend at an angle away fromthe body side of the vehicle, so that the blind spot/LCA indicator isgenerally facing the driver of the host vehicle and is readily viewableby the driver of the host vehicle and substantially non-visible ornon-viewable by a driver of another vehicle at or approaching the hostvehicle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a mirrorshell or casing and a blind spot indicator. The shell or casing has aninboard portion that is inboard of the reflective element relative tothe position of the reflective element with respect to the body side ofthe vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted thereto, andthus is between the reflective element and the body side of the vehicleto which the mirror assembly is attached. The blind spot indicator islocated at and oriented at the inboard portion of the mirror shell orcasing so as to be viewable by the driver of the vehicle and so as to besubstantially to totally non-viewable by the drivers of other vehiculartraffic, such as other vehicular traffic rearward of, sideward of,approaching, overtaking, forward of or otherwise at or near the hostvehicle.

The inboard portion of the mirror shell or casing (which at least inpart defines a cavity within which the mirror reflective element isdisposed and within which the mirror reflective element is adjustable)may comprise an inboard wall of the mirror shell or casing. Typically,the exterior mirror assembly comprises a stalk or support arm or memberof the mirror assembly that extends from the side of the vehicle towhere the mirror shell is disposed.

The blind spot indicator may include a light source or illuminationsource (such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like),and may include a lens or other optic or light directing/guiding deviceor element or means or a light channel, conduit or means, or a lightbaffle or means, or a light louver or blind or means, or a lightdirecting element or means, preferably at the mirror shell or casing(and substantially disposed therein so as not to overly protrude tocreate aerodynamic drag and so as to provide an aesthetically pleasingexterior appearance) for directing the light emitted by the light sourcetoward the driver for viewing by the driver of the host vehicle and, ifrequired, for limiting or restricting viewing by drivers of othervehicles.

Thus, the present invention provides an exterior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle that includes a mirror shell portion and a blindspot or lane change assist (LCA) indicator. A cavity of the mirror shellportion is formed or defined at least partially by the walls of theshell portion. A variety of suitable mirror shells are known in theexterior mirror assembly art, such as skull-cap mirror shells (such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,612,708; 6,447,130; and 6,310,738, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties),uni-body mirror shells, and the like. A reflective element is disposedwithin the cavity, along with any accessories or displays and associatedadjustment device or actuator associated with the reflective element ormirror assembly. The mirror shell consists of an inner or inboard wallor side or portion that, when the mirror assembly is mounted at the sideof the vehicle, preferably proximate to or at the driver or passengerside front door and proximate to or at the join of the door to the frontportion of the vehicle body side (often referred to as the A-pillarregion of the vehicle), the inner wall portion is at or near to thevehicle side body and readily viewable by the driver of the hostvehicle. The mirror shell also includes an outer or outboard side orwall or portion that is further from the side of the vehicle and outwardor outboard from the inner or inboard wall or portion. The mirrorreflective element is disposed within the mirror shell and between theinner wall or portion or side and the outer wall or portion or side ofthe mirror shell. The blind spot or LCA indicator is located at theinboard or inner wall or side or portion of the mirror shell and, thus,is readily viewable by the driver of the host vehicle.

The mirror assembly is mounted to the body side of the vehicle (such asto a front door portion or to a vehicle body portion, depending on theparticular application of the mirror assembly). The mounting portion ofthe mirror assembly often includes a stalk or mounting arm or member orsupport arm or member that extends from the mounting area of the vehiclebody side to where the mirror shell is disposed. The mounting arm mayextend from the vehicle body side by about an inch or more, and oftenabout two to three inches or thereabouts, depending on the styling, typeor size of the vehicle and associated exterior mirror assembly.

Note that, and as can be readily seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the innerportion of the driver side mirror assembly is most readilyvisible/viewable to the driver of the vehicle, as compared to the innerportion of the passenger side mirror assembly. The blind spot/LCAindicator of the present invention is thus highly suited forapplications where the blind spot indicator is on the driver side only.However, it is envisioned that a blind spot/LCA indicator of the presentinvention may also or otherwise be located at the inner or inboardportion or wall or side of the passenger side exterior rearview mirrorassembly, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an exteriorrearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirrorassembly having a mirror casing. The mirror casing comprises a mirrorportion including a reflective element and an attachment portionconfigured for attaching the mirror assembly at an exterior side of avehicle, such as via an attachment or attachment element for attachingthe mirror assembly at the exterior side of the vehicle, such as via anysuitable attachment element or means, such as are known in theautomotive mirror art. The reflective element is adjustably supported byan actuator within the mirror portion of the mirror casing. The mirrorcasing has an inboard portion that faces generally toward the exteriorside of the vehicle and is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when theexterior mirror assembly is attached at the exterior side of thevehicle. The mirror system includes a unitary indicator module at theinboard portion of the mirror casing. The unitary indicator modulecomprises an illumination source, and is responsive to a control signalto activate the illumination source to indicate to the driver a detectedpresence of an object at least one of alongside the vehicle and rearwardof the vehicle. The unitary indicator module is substantially sealed soas to be substantially impervious to water. The unitary indicator moduleis configured at the inboard portion of the mirror casing so thatillumination of the illumination source is readily viewable by thedriver of the vehicle and wherein the illumination of the illuminationsource is generally not viewed by other road users when the exteriorrearview mirror assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle and whenthe vehicle is operated on a road.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofsupplying an exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includesproviding mirror casings, with each mirror casing at least comprising amirror portion including a reflective element. The reflective element isadjustably supportable by an actuator within the mirror portion of themirror casing. Each of the mirror casings has an inboard portion thatfaces generally toward the exterior side of the vehicle and that isviewable by a driver of the vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly ismounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. At least some of the mirrorcasings are provided with an aperture established at the inboardportion. Blind spot indicator units are provided, with each of the blindspot indicator units comprising at least one illumination source forindicating to the driver a detected presence of an object at least oneof alongside and rearward of the vehicle. First mirror assemblies areestablished by disposing the blind spot indicator units at the aperturesof the inboard portions of the at least some of the mirror casings. Theblind spot indicator units are at least partially received at theapertures. Second mirror assemblies are established by providing mirrorcasings lacking an aperture established at the inboard portion. Thefirst mirror assemblies are supplied to a vehicle manufacturing facilitywhen inclusion of a blind spot indicator is required and the secondmirror assemblies are supplied to a vehicle manufacturing facility wheninclusion of a blind spot indicator is not required.

Therefore, the present invention provides a blind spot indicator at aninboard wall or portion of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. Theblind spot indicator is located at an inboard wall or portion of themirror casing or shell or at an inboard support arm or the like of themirror assembly and, thus, is readily viewable by the driver of the hostvehicle, and without the driver having to look across to the outboarddimension of the mirror reflective element to see or notice actuation orillumination of the blind spot indicator. The blind spot indicator thusmay be readily viewable by the driver and may be so viewable without thedriver having to look at the reflective element of the exterior mirrorto see the blind spot indicator. Also, because the blind spot indicatoris located at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly, the blind spotindicator is viewable principally or solely by the driver of the hostvehicle, and is not readily viewable or visible to a driver of anothervehicle. Because the blind spot indicator is not located at a primaryviewing area, the curb-side appeal or appearance of the vehicle is notadversely impacted by the choice and styling of the blind spotindicator. Also, because the blind spot indicator of the presentinvention is not located behind a window in the reflective element, orbehind a transflective portion of the reflective element, the blind spotindicator may be fixedly placed and may provide a low cost indicatorthat may be readily incorporated into an exterior rearview mirrorassembly of a vehicle.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior mirror assembly with a blindspot indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown with theindicator as an ISO icon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exterior mirror assembly similar toFIG. 1, shown with the indicator as a multi-stage indicator;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assemblysimilar to FIG. 2, with the indicator located at an upper region of theinboard portion of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assembly similarto FIG. 1, shown with the indicator as a hazard icon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle with an exterior mirrorassembly and blind spot indicator of the present invention, shown as thedriver of a trailing vehicle may view the vehicle and exterior mirrorassembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 4, shown as thedriver of an overtaking vehicle may view the vehicle and exterior mirrorassembly;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the driver and passenger sideexterior mirror assemblies and of the interior rearview mirror assembly,with blind spot indicators in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assembly with ablind spot indicator in the support arm of the mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention, shown with the indicator as anISO icon;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exterior mirror assembly similar toFIG. 7, shown with the indicator as a multi-stage indicator;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assembly similarto FIG. 7, shown with the indicator as a hazard icon;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assemblysimilar to FIG. 7, shown with a multi-stage indicator at the side of themirror shell;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assemblysimilar to FIG. 10, with the indicator at the side of the mirror shelland above the support arm;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the driver and passenger sideexterior mirror assemblies of a vehicle, with blind spot indicators inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assembly with ablind spot indicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another exterior mirror assembly with ablind spot indicator module in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and B are perspective views of the blind spot indicator moduleof FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16A-C are plan views of the blind spot indicator module of FIG.14;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the blind spot indicatormodule of FIGS. 14-16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior mirror assemblyof FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the blind spot indicator module asattached to the mirror housing;

FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the blind spot indicator andmirror housing of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the blind spot indicator asmounted at the mirror assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the housing ofthe mirror assembly;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the back cap of the exterior mirrorassembly of FIGS. 14 and 18;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of another blind spot indicatormodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 25A-C are plan views of the blind spot indicator module of FIG.24;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of an exterior mirror assemblyand the blind spot indicator module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are perspective views of the exterior mirror assemblyand blind spot indicator module of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of another blind spot indicatormodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 29A-C are plan views of the blind spot indicator module of FIG.28;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of an exterior mirror assemblyand the blind spot indicator module in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 31A and 31B are perspective views of the exterior mirror assemblyand blind spot indicator module of FIG. 30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa reflective element 12 and a mirror shell or casing 14 (FIG. 1). Mirrorassembly 10 is mounted at the side 16 a of a host or subject vehicle 16,and includes a blind spot indicator 18 at an inboard portion 20 ofmirror assembly 10. The blind spot indicator 18 is operable byillumination to indicate to the driver of the subject or host vehiclethat an object or other vehicle is detected at the side or blind spotregion of the host vehicle by a blind spot detection system, asdiscussed below. The indicator may be activated or energized in responseto a detection of an object or other vehicle approaching or adjacent tothe host vehicle in order to alert or warn the driver of the hostvehicle not to attempt or initiate a lane change that moves the subjector host vehicle into the already occupied (or soon to be occupied) sidelane or region adjacent either the driver side or the passenger side ofthe host vehicle.

Mirror assembly 10 is connected at the side 16 a of vehicle 16 andincludes a mounting arm or stem 22 or the like, which is mounted to orextends from the side 16 a of vehicle 16. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 1, the inboard portion 20 of mirror assembly 10 comprises theinboard wall or side of the mirror shell or casing 14. The inboardportion or wall is at the inboard side of the casing 14 of the mirrorassembly and generally faces the side 16 a of the vehicle 16. As can beseen in FIG. 1, the inboard portion 20 is spaced from and opposite froman outboard portion or side 24 of the mirror assembly 10.

The exterior rearview mirror assembly may comprise a fixed exteriorrearview mirror assembly, whereby the mirror portion of the mirrorcasing and the attachment portion of the mirror casing form a uni-body.Alternately, and preferably, the exterior rearview mirror assembly maycomprise a breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and morepreferably, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may comprise apowerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly. For example, the exteriorrearview mirror assembly may comprise a fixed or foldable or breakawayor powerfold mirror assembly, whereby the mirror casing may encompass anattachment portion that attaches to the side of the vehicle, and amirror or reflective element portion (that supports the reflectiveelement) that is attached to and supported by the attachment portion.The reflective element is mounted at an actuator (such as a manualactuator or an electronic actuator) within the mirror portion of themirror casing so that the rearward field of view of the driver isadjustable via adjustment of the reflective element.

Typically, side exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles extendfrom the side of the vehicle and are angled to reduce aerodynamic dragand to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Thus, the inboardportion of the exterior rearview mirror may be angled outwardly from thevehicle and thus slopes away from vehicle and provides a surface atwhich to mount/install the blind spot indicator, whereby the blind spotindicator is generally facing the driver of the host vehicle while beinggenerally or substantially or entirely hidden from the view of driversof other vehicles encountered by the host vehicle. Also, because theindicator is located at the inboard portion of the mirror shell orcasing, the indicator may be selected to be substantially large, sincethe size of the indicator is not constrained by the field of viewregulations of the mirror reflective element. The blind spot indicatorof the present invention thus may be located at the mirror inboard wallor portion or side, which is contoured so that the wall or surfaceslopes away from the body side of the vehicle. By positioning theindicator at this location, the presence of the indicator at the inboardor inner wall or side of the exterior mirror is substantially or totallyobscured from the view of drivers of trailing or side overtakingvehicles by the very body and structure of the exterior mirror. Also,because of the natural aerodynamic styling and structure of the inboardwall portion or section, operation of the blind spot indicator issubstantially or totally non-viewable by the drivers of leading vehicles(traveling in front of the host vehicle) or vehicles approaching thehost vehicle from in front of the host vehicle.

Blind spot/LCA indicator 18 may include an illumination or light source(such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDs) or the like that is/are energized to direct oremit illumination toward the driver of the host vehicle. Theillumination source may be positioned within or behind the inboard wallor portion of the mirror assembly and the indicator may include aniconistic display area (such as transparent or substantially transparentor translucent windows or apertures formed or established at the inboardwall so that the illumination passes through the windows for viewing anddiscerning by the driver of the host vehicle). The iconistic display maybe established or formed at a lens or element that attaches to the shellor casing or may be formed or established at the shell or casing wallitself. The indicator may include baffles or light piping or tubing orelectroluminescent foil or other light direction means or occludingmeans, such as louvers or shutters or filters or light directing film orthe like for directing or guiding the illumination from the illuminationsource at the desired angle and through the inboard wall or portion soas to be principally or solely viewable by the driver of the hostvehicle. Because the blind spot indicator is located at an area orregion that is not readily viewable by a person outside of the vehiclecabin, the indicator may be located at the surface of the inboard wallor portion (and may protrude partially therefrom), and need not berecessed within the casing surface, without adversely affecting theappearance of the exterior mirror assembly. The location and degree ofrecess or inset of the blind spot indicator may be selected depending onthe particular application of the blind spot indicator and on thelocation of any internal mirror content (such as an actuator, securitylight or other indicators or accessories or the like) located within themirror shell.

As shown in FIG. 1, blind spot indicator 18 may comprise an ISO icon(showing icons representing the host vehicle and another vehicle at theside and/or rearward of the host vehicle) to indicate to the driver ofthe host vehicle that another vehicle has been detected at the sideand/or rearward of the host vehicle. The iconistic representation may beformed as a translucent window or portion of the inboard wall or portionor may be otherwise established at the inboard wall or portion of themirror assembly. Optionally, however, the indicator may comprise otherforms, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 2, a blind spot indicator or LCAindicator 18′ of an exterior mirror assembly 10′ may comprise amulti-stage indicator having multiple indicating portions or elements ordevices for indicating a degree of hazard or the like of an object orvehicle detected alongside and/or rearward of the host vehicle. Theindicating portions or elements or devices may comprise different colorindicators, such as green, amber and red or the like, to indicate thedegree of hazard detected. For example, the multi-stage indicator mayprovide a first indication when no object is detected at the side laneadjacent to the vehicle, a second indication when an object is detectedthat is approaching the side lane area, and a third indication when anobject is detected that is occupying the side lane area.

The multi-stage indicator may comprise multiple illumination sourcesselectively operable to indicate the degree of hazard detected, oroptionally the different or multiple indications may be provided withone illumination source or indicating element. The first, second andthird indications provide at least one of (a) first, second and thirdcolor indications and (b) first, second and third indication modulations(such as where one or more indicating elements is/are flashed ormodulated or intermittently activated/deactivated to provide differentindications) that are readily discernible and recognizable by the driverof the vehicle.

Such a multi-stage indicator is suitable for use with a lane changeassist (LCA) system, and may, for example, provide a green indicationwhen the adjacent side lane is clear, an amber indication when a vehicleapproaches the side lane area, and a red indication when another vehicleis occupying the side lane area adjacent to the host vehicle. As shownin FIG. 2, the blind spot indicator or LCA indicator 18′ may bepositioned at a lower region of the inboard portion 20′ of the mirrorassembly 10′, or (and as shown in FIG. 2A), the blind spot indicator 18″may be positioned at an upper region of the inboard portion 20″ of themirror assembly 10″ (where the indicator may be more readilyvisible/viewable to the driver of the host vehicle). Optionally, forexample, and with reference to FIG. 3, a blind spot indicator 18′″ of anexterior rearview mirror assembly 10′″ may comprise a hazard indicatoror the like at the inboard portion 20′″ to provide a hazard indicationor warning or alert signal to the driver of the host vehicle when anobject or vehicle is detected at the side and/or rearward of the hostvehicle, and when the driver of the host vehicle is attempting a lanechange or the like (such as when the driver activates the turn signal ofthe host vehicle). Other iconistic images or indicia or the like may beused for the blind spot/LCA indicator, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the blind spot indicator of the presentinvention is not readily viewable or discernible by other road users,such as a driver of a vehicle approaching the host vehicle from the rearof the host vehicle (as shown in FIG. 4) or a driver of a vehicleapproaching and overtaking the host vehicle along a side of the hostvehicle (as shown in FIG. 5). Although not shown, the blind spotindicator is also substantially not viewable by or visible to a driverof a vehicle ahead of or leading the host vehicle. The blind spotindicator of the present invention thus may be sufficiently large toenhance viewability and discernibility of the indicator by the driver ofthe host vehicle, without detracting from the appearance of the mirrorassembly and without being readily viewable/discernible by the driver ofanother vehicle, thereby limiting or substantially precluding confusion(to the driver of the other vehicle) between a turn signal indicator(not shown) of the mirror assembly and the blind spot indicator.

Although shown in FIGS. 1-5 and described above as being located at adriver side exterior mirror, the blind spot/LCA indicator of the presentinvention may also or otherwise be located at the passenger sideexterior mirror, if desired. Optionally, the blind spot indicator of thepresent invention may be located at both the driver side mirror assemblyand the passenger side mirror assembly of the host vehicle. Theindicator at either side may be selectively activated or illuminated toindicate to the driver of the host vehicle that an object or othervehicle has been detected at that particular side lane region of thehost vehicle. Optionally, the blind spot indicator may be associatedwith a blind spot detection and indication system that includes one ormore indicators at the interior rearview mirror assembly of the hostvehicle. For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, a blind spotindicator 118 a may be located at an inboard portion or wall 120 a of adriver side exterior rearview mirror assembly 110 a, while a blind spotindicator 118 b may be located at an inboard portion or wall 120 b of apassenger side exterior rearview mirror assembly 110 b. Also, aninterior rearview mirror assembly 130 may include one or more indicators119 a, 119 b that provide further indication to the driver of the hostvehicle of a detection of an object or other vehicle at either sideand/or rearward of the host vehicle, so that the driver of the hostvehicle has a cognitive association of the indicators. The blind spotindicators may provide a redundant indication at both the interior andexterior mirrors in order to assist the driver in recognizing theconditions surrounding the host vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects ofthe blind spot detection system described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,409;5,929,786; and 5,786,772, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 7, an exterior rearview mirrorassembly 210 may include a reflective element 212 and a mirror casing orshell that includes a mirror portion 214 that is supported on a mountingarm or attachment portion 232, which includes an attachment element thatis configured to attach or mount to the side 216 a of the host vehicle216 and/or which extends from the side 216 a of the host vehicle 216.The blind spot indicator 218 may be located at an inboard portion 220 ofthe casing 214, such as at the support arm or attachment portion or stem232 of the casing which mounts to the mounting arm 222. In theillustrated embodiment, the attachment portion 232 of the casing ispivotally mounted to the mounting arm 222, such as for a powerfoldexterior mirror or a breakaway exterior mirror or the like. The inboardportion 220 thus may be positioned along the mirror portion 214 orattachment portion 232 (and preferably along a surface that is angledoutwardly with respect to the vehicle side), and could optionally andless desirably be located at the support or mounting arm 222, so as tobe directed generally toward the driver of the host vehicle and notreadily viewable by other road users or drivers of other vehicles at ornear the host vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the indicator 218 may comprise an ISO indicator withthe iconistic representation of the host vehicle and adjacent orapproaching vehicle, such as described above with respect to FIG. 1.Optionally, and such as described above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3,the blind spot indicator may comprise a multi-stage indicator 218′ (FIG.8) or a hazard indicator 218″ (FIG. 9) at the support arm or stem of themirror assembly.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 10, the blind spot indicator 318 (suchas a multi-stage indicator or other type of indicator) may be located atthe inboard wall 320 of the mirror casing 314 of an exterior mirrorassembly 310 and generally at or rearward of the support arm or stem 332(which mounts to a mounting arm or portion 322 at the vehicle and whichmay be pivotable relative to the mounting arm or portion 322) of thecasing 314 (where the indicator is rearward of the support arm and thusfacing generally rearwardly with respect to the forward direction oftravel of the vehicle, and preferably on an outwardly angled portion soas to be facing partially inward toward the driver of the vehicle). Theindicator thus is readily viewable by the driver of the host vehicle atthe mirror casing and rearward of the support arm or stem of the mirrorassembly. As shown in FIG. 11, the blind spot indicator 318′ may belocated at the inboard portion 320′ of the casing 314′ of an exteriormirror assembly 310′ and generally above the support arm or stem 332′(which mounts to the mounting arm or portion 322′), if desired. Theparticular location of the blind spot indicator may be selecteddepending on the geometries and content of the mirror assembly andsupport arm and mounting portion of the mirror assembly and on thevehicle door design and/or the vehicle A-pillar design, so as to provideenhanced viewability and discernibility of the blind spot indicator tothe driver of the host vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a blindspot indicator 318 a″ may be located at the inboard portion 320 a″ ofthe casing 314 a″ of a driver side exterior mirror assembly 310 a″,while a blind spot indicator 318 b″ may be located at the inboardportion 320 b″ of the casing 314 b″ of a passenger side exteriorrearview mirror assembly 310 b″, so that the indicators 318 a″, 318 b″are readily viewable and discernible by the driver of the host vehiclewhile being substantially non-viewable to drivers of other vehicles ator near or trailing or approaching or overtaking or leading the hostvehicle. The blind spot indicator or indicators may be located at otherinboard portions or inward facing portions of the mirror casing,including a movable casing portion (such as a movable mirror portion ormovable attachment portion or the like) and/or a fixed casing portion(such as a fixed mirror portion or fixed attachment portion or thelike), so as to be viewable by the driver of the vehicle and not readilyviewable by other road users or drivers of other vehicles, whileremaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 13, an exterior rearview mirrorassembly 410 for a vehicle includes a reflective element 412 and amirror shell or casing 414. Mirror assembly 410 is mounted at the side416 a of a host or subject vehicle 416, and includes a blind spotindicator 418 at an inboard portion or surface 420 of an outer wall 424of the mirror casing 414 of mirror assembly 410. The blind spotindicator 418 thus may be located at a cusp or inboard surface of theouter wall 424 of mirror casing 414 so as to be readily viewable by thedriver of the host vehicle, while being substantially hidden or notviewable by the driver of another vehicle at or near or approaching thehost vehicle. The blind spot indicator 418 thus is located at a regionthat is remote from the reflective element of the mirror assembly so asto limit or substantially preclude confusion between the blind spotindicator and any display or indicator (such as a turn signal display orthe like) that is located at the reflective element of the mirrorassembly (and thus that may be intended for viewing by the driver ofanother vehicle).

Optionally, the blind spot indicator or LCA indicator of the presentinvention may be provided as an indicator module that is a unitarymodule including an illumination source, electrical connectors and coverand/or light directing or guiding elements or means. The unitaryindicator module is preferably sealed so as to be substantiallyimpervious to water so as to provide a robust module that can withstandthe exposure to the elements at the exterior rearview mirror assembly.The sealing means for sealing the module may comprise any suitablesealing means, such as sealing means that are known or conventional inthe art, such as gasketing, welding, such as ultrasonic welding or thelike, or adhering or any other suitable sealing means for sealing themodule. The mirror assembly may be formed with a cavity or opening (suchas at the inboard wall of the mirror housing that faces or opposes thevehicle) for receiving or attaching the unitary indicator module thereinor thereat, and may include the electrical connectors at the cavity oropening for making the appropriate electrical connections to theindicator module. Optionally, the electrical connections may be madewhile the indicator module is attached to the mirror assembly, such asvia a plug and socket type arrangement or configuration, and such as byutilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Pat. No.6,669,267, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The unitary indicator module may include or utilize aspects ofvarious light modules or systems or devices, such as the types describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,689; 6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699;5,823,654; 6,176,602; and/or 6,276,821, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

The unitary indicator module thus may be provided as a unitary elementor unit and may be readily installed at an exterior mirror assembly toprovide the blind spot/LCA indicator at the inboard wall or portion ofthe exterior mirror. The blind spot detection system (and thus the blindspot indicator) thus may be selected by a customer as an option fortheir vehicle, whereby the blind spot indicator unit or module orunitary module may be provided for the appropriate mirror assembly.Optionally, the exterior mirror assembly may be shipped to a vehicleassembly plant with the blind spot indicator module already installed,or the exterior mirror assembly may be shipped to the vehicle assemblyplant with a socket or structure or receiving portion (such as at theinboard portion of the mirror assembly) for receiving or mounting orattaching the indicator module. The indicator module, when selected, maybe connected or plugged in or otherwise attached to the mirror assemblyat the socket or structure or receiving portion at the vehicle assemblyplant, so as to be substantially flush with the outer surface of themirror housing when so inserted or connected or plugged in or attached.Optionally, the indicator module may be slightly to moderately proud ofthe outer surface of the inboard portion of the mirror casing or housingwhen attached thereto, so as to be slightly protruding outward(generally toward the vehicle) from the inboard portion of the mirrorcasing or housing, such as less than about 1 mm to about 3 mm orthereabouts. The indicator module may make both the mechanical andelectrical connections to the mirror assembly when attached thereto,such as by utilizing aspects described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,267, whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Theindicator module thus may be installed at the appropriate mirrorassembly (such as for a vehicle that has the blind spot indicatorselected as an option) at the vehicle assembly plant, while a blank outpanel or element or the like may be attached to the mirror assembly(such as by snapping or connecting or attaching a blank out panel orelement at the receiving portion of the inboard portion of the mirrorassembly) for vehicles that do not have the blind spot indicator optionselected. Because the blind spot indicator and associatedcircuitry/electronics may be costly, the unitary indicator module allowsthe indicator to be added to the exterior mirror only for those vehicleswith the indicator option selected, and without affecting the mirrorassembly structure and design, so that a common mirror shell may beutilized for a standard mirror and for a mirror with the indicatoroption selected, thereby deproliferating parts and providing economiesof scale for the mirror assemblies. An operator need only attach theselected or appropriate one of the blind spot indicator module or theblank out element at the receiving portion of the inboard portion of themirror assembly.

For example, a method of supplying an exterior rearview mirror systemfor a vehicle includes providing mirror casings, with each mirror casingat least comprising a mirror portion including a reflective element. Thereflective element is adjustably supportable by an actuator within themirror portion of the mirror casing. Each of the mirror casings has aninboard portion that faces generally toward the exterior side of thevehicle and that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when theexterior mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle.At least some of the mirror casings are provided with an aperture orreceiving portion established at the inboard portion. Blind spotindicator units are provided, with each of the blind spot indicatorunits comprising at least one indicating element and/or illuminationsource for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object atleast one of alongside and rearward of the vehicle. First mirrorassemblies are established by disposing the blind spot indicator unitsat the apertures of the inboard portions of the at least some of themirror casings and second mirror assemblies are established by providingmirror casings lacking an aperture established at the inboard portion.The blind spot indicator units are at least partially received at theapertures of the first mirror assemblies. The first mirror assembliesare supplied to a vehicle manufacturing facility when inclusion of ablind spot indicator is required and the second mirror assemblies aresupplied to a vehicle manufacturing facility when inclusion of a blindspot indicator is not required.

Optionally, a method of manufacturing an exterior rearview mirrorassembly includes providing an exterior mirror assembly having areflective element and a mirror casing. The mirror casing is mountableat an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that facesgenerally toward the exterior side of the vehicle and is viewable by adriver of the vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted atthe exterior side of the vehicle. The inboard portions of at least someof the mirror casings have an aperture or receiving portion establishedthereat. The method includes providing a blind spot indicator having atleast one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detectedpresence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. Ablank element or blank out panel or element or cover portion or casingor cap portion that substantially corresponds with a surface of theinboard portion of the exterior rearview mirror assembly may also beprovided (or some mirror casings may be provided without an aperture orreceiving portion at the inboard portion). The method includes selectinga selected element, where the selected element is selected from a groupconsisting of (a) the blind spot indicator and (b) the blank element and(c) a mirror casing without an aperture or receiving portion at theinboard portion. The method may further include attaching the selectedelement at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly, whereby theselected element is at least partially received at the receivingportion, and an exterior surface of the selected element issubstantially flush with a surface of the inboard portion. If the mirrorassembly is targeted for installation on a vehicle without an optionalside object detection system selected, then the operator may readilyattach the blank out element at the receiving portion of the inboardportion of the mirror assembly instead of the indicator module. Inapplications where some of the mirror casings are not provided with anaperture or receiving portion, no cap or blank element is needed toprovide the substantially flush inboard portion for applications whereno side object detection system is selected. The mirror assembly thus isassembled and installed at the appropriate vehicle with the appropriateor selected features or content for that particular vehicle and selectedoption.

The method may include determining a desired optional content of eachexterior rearview mirror assembly and selecting a selected element ormirror casing according to the determined desired optional content foreach exterior rearview mirror assembly. The attaching of the selectedelement or use of the selected mirror casing preferably is made at themirror manufacturer's facility, but could be made at a vehicle assemblyplant (such as at a location or station of the vehicle assembly plant ator before the station where the mirror assembly is attached to thevehicle). The attaching of the selected element preferably also includesconnecting the indicating element or illumination source of the blindspot indicator to an electrical connector. Preferably, the attaching ofthe selected element includes making both the mechanical and electricalconnections for the indicator at the inboard portion of the mirrorassembly.

For example, and with reference to FIGS. 14-23, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly 510 for a vehicle includes a reflective element 512 anda mirror shell or casing or housing 514. The reflective element 512 ismovably supported at housing 514 via a mirror actuator 513 (FIG. 18).Mirror assembly 510 includes a blind spot indicator module 518 at aninboard portion or surface 520 of an inner wall 524 of the mirrorhousing 514 of mirror assembly 510. Blind spot indicator module 518 ismounted in an aperture 514 b formed at the housing 514, and the mirrorassembly 510 includes a back cap 540 that may substantially cover aportion of the housing 514, and may cover or surround a portion of theindicator module 518, as discussed below. As shown in FIGS. 15-17, blindspot indicator module 518 includes a housing 542, a lens element oroptic element 544 and a printed circuit board or PCB assembly 546. Thehousing 542 includes mounting tabs 542 a protruding therefrom forflexing as the module 518 is attached to a mounting portion 514 a (FIGS.18-22) of housing 514 and retaining the module 518 to the housing 514.

PCB assembly 546 includes a board or substrate 546 a with an electricalconnector or terminals 546 b and a plurality of illumination sourcesdisposed thereon, such as four amber light emitting diodes 546 c and onered light emitting diode 546 d. Electrical connectors 546 b compriseconductive terminals protruding from an inner surface of the substrate546 a and are configured for connection to an electrical wiring orconnector 548 (FIGS. 18-20) of the vehicle. The indicator module may berelatively small and readily attachable to the mirror assembly. Forexample, an exemplary embodiment of the module may be about 15 mm thick,and about 45 mm long and about 37 mm wide or thereabouts. However, othersized and/or shaped modules may be implemented while remaining withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention. The illumination sourcesor light emitting diodes (LEDs) 546 c, 546 d are disposed at an outersurface of the substrate 546 a and emit light through lens element 544when activated/energized.

Lens element 544 comprises a transparent or translucent element or blockwith graphics or icons or indicia 544 a formed or established at aprimary or principle viewing area 544 b of the lens element. Forexample, the lens element may include vehicle icons established thereonso that a person viewing the module readily recognizes that the purposeof the indicator module is for a blind spot detection system,particularly when the illumination sources are not activated. Theprimary viewing area 544 b of the lens element 544 may be generallyaligned with the amber LEDs 546 c and may be aligned with or at leastpartially protrude through an opening or aperture 542 b through housing542 so that the icons or indicia at the primary viewing area 544 b areilluminated by the amber LEDs to alert the driver of a detection of anobject in an adjacent lane. In the illustrated embodiment, the lenselement 544 includes an alert indicating projection or element 544 c inthe form of an “X”. The projection 544 c is generally aligned with thered LED 546 d of the PCB assembly 546 and is at least partially receivedthrough or aligned with a correspondingly formed or shaped aperture 542c in housing 542, such that red light emitted by the red LED is viewableas a red “X” to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that an object isdetected (so as to alert the driver of the object and to indicate thatthe driver should not change lanes to that side).

As shown in FIG. 18, housing 514 of mirror assembly 510 includes anaperture 514 b formed at an inner wall or portion 520 of housing 514.The housing 514 includes a mounting portion 514 a for indicator module518. As shown in FIG. 22, mounting portion 514 a includes a pair of tabs514 c that are formed to engage the arms 542 a of housing 542 ofindicator module 518 and a pocket or recess 514 d for receiving aportion of housing 542 therein, in order to mount and retain indicatormodule 518 at housing 514 of mirror assembly. The pocket 514 d receivesan end portion of the indicator module housing to set and retain theindicator housing at a location such that the outer surface of theindicator module housing is substantially flush with the mirror housing.Indicator module 518 thus is attached to mounting portion 514 a ofmirror housing 514, and the wire harness and connector 548 may bereadily connected to terminals 546 b of indicator module 518, as shownin FIGS. 19 and 20, either before or after indicator module 518 isattached to the mounting portion 514 a.

After the electrical connection is made and after the indicator moduleis attached to the mounting portion 514 a, the back cap 540 may bereadily attached to the mirror housing 514 to substantially close theaperture 514 b in mirror housing 514 and to cover a portion of andpartially surround indicator module 18. As can be seen in FIGS. 20, 21and 23, the housing 542 of indicator module 518 includes a raisedportion 542 d that protrudes slightly outward from the outer surface ofthe housing, and the back cap 540 is formed with a slot 540 a thatreceives or partially surrounds the raised portion 542 d at the innerside of the mirror assembly. The back cap 540 may include a pocket 540 bfor receiving a tab 542 e of housing 542 when back cap 540 is attachedto the mirror housing so as to set the back cap to be substantiallyflush with the outer surface of the indicator module when the back capis attached to the mirror housing and partially surrounds the indicatormodule. As shown in FIG. 23, the edges of the slot 540 a may be taperedor otherwise formed to engage the edges of the raised portion 542 d andthe thickness of the back cap 540 and the height of the raised portion542 d are selected to be substantially similar so that the back cap 540and outer surface of the raised portion 542 d provide a substantiallyflush surface at the inner side of the mirror assembly. Optionally,other means for retaining or connecting the back cap to the indicatormodule in a flush manner may be implemented, such as a tongue and grooveconfiguration or the like.

Optionally, if the indicator module is not selected for the mirrorassembly, a blank out element or cover element may be provided at thereceiving portion (and may snap into the receiving portion in a similarmanner as the indicator module as described above) or the back cap orcover element may include a portion that extends over the receivingportion so as to substantially cover/conceal the receiving portion whenan indicator module is not installed thereat, or the mirror casing maybe provided without an aperture or receiving portion at the inboardportion. Thus, the inboard portion of a mirror casing that does notinclude a blind spot indicator module may have a substantially flush orcontinuous or un-interrupted surface due to the absence of or lacking ofan aperture or receiving portion or module thereat.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 24-27B, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly 510′ for a vehicle includes a reflective element 512′and a mirror shell or casing or housing 514′. Mirror assembly 510′includes a blind spot indicator module 518′ at an inboard portion orsurface 520′ of an inner wall 524′ of the mirror housing 514′ of mirrorassembly 510′. Blind spot indicator module 518′ is mounted in anaperture 514 b′ formed at the housing 514′, and the mirror assembly 510′includes a back cap 540′ that may substantially cover a portion of thehousing 514′, and may cover or close or substantially seal an aperture514 c′ of housing 514′, such as described above. Blind spot indicatormodule 518′ may be substantially similar to blind spot indicator module518, discussed above, and includes a housing 542′, a lens element oroptic element 544′ (such as a clear lens with graphics, such as an ISOicon and/or diffusion and/or the like, and a hardcoat or the like), aprinted circuit board or PCB assembly 546′ (which may include multipleLEDs or the like, and may comprise a slave design with minimal currentcontrol), a potting element 549′ at the PCT assembly and housing (suchas a black potting element or material or the like) and a gasket 547′(such as a die-cut foam or other suitable gasket material). Becauseblind spot indicator module 518′ may be substantially similar to blindspot indicator module 518, discussed above, a detailed discussion of theblind spot indicator modules will not be repeated herein. The indicatormodule may be generally square-shaped and relatively small and readilyattachable to the mirror assembly. For example, an exemplary embodimentof the module may be about 15 mm thick, and about 37 mm long and about37 mm wide or thereabouts. However, other sized and/or shaped modulesmay be implemented while remaining within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 24, lens element 544′ blind spot indicator module518′ includes a raised portion 544 b′ that protrudes outward from theouter surface of the housing 542′ when lens element is received therein(as can be seen in FIGS. 25A and 25B), and the aperture 514 b′ in mirrorhousing 514′ is formed to at least partially receive the raised portion544 b′ therethrough when the indicator module 518′ is mounted at theinner side of the mirror housing 514′. As shown in FIG. 26, a coverelement or close-out element 550′ may be provided at the indicatormodule 518′ to provide a custom, flush close-out (such as a close-outelement having a clear or transparent or translucent center region andan opaque or dark colored outer region) at and around the raised portion544 b′ and at the aperture 514 b′ of the mirror housing 514′.

The mirror housing 514′ includes a second aperture 514 c′ to facilitateinsertion of and mounting of the indicator module at the aperture 514 b′from outside the mirror assembly 510′. The back cap 540′ may be attachedto the mirror housing 514′ to substantially close and seal the aperture514 c′ after the indicator module 518′ is mounted at the inner side ofthe mirror housing 514′ (and after the electrical connection of theindicator module terminals 546 b′ to the wire harness 548 is made). Theraised portion 544 b′ is received into the close-out element 550′ andthe outer surfaces of the close-out element and of the raised portion544 b′ of the indicator module are substantially flush with the inwardfacing surface of the inner side of the mirror housing 514′ so as toprovide a substantially flush surface at the inner side of the mirrorassembly.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 28-31B, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly 510″ for a vehicle includes a reflective element 512″and a mirror shell or casing or housing 514″. Mirror assembly 510″includes a blind spot indicator module 518″ at an inboard portion orsurface 520″ of an inner wall 524″ of the mirror housing 514″ of mirrorassembly 510″. Blind spot indicator module 518″ is mounted in anaperture 514 b″ formed at the housing 514″, and the mirror assembly 510″includes a back cap 540″ that may substantially cover a portion of thehousing 514″, and may cover or close or substantially seal an aperture514 c″ of housing 514″, such as described above. Blind spot indicatormodule 518″ may be substantially similar to blind spot indicator modules518, 518′, discussed above, and includes a housing or backplate 542″(which may include insert molded water proof connectors or the like), alens element or close-out element 544″, and a printed circuit board orPCB assembly 546″. Because blind spot indicator module 518″ may besubstantially similar to blind spot indicator modules 518, 518″,discussed above, a detailed discussion of the blind spot indicatormodules will not be repeated herein. The indicator module may berelatively small and readily attachable to the mirror assembly. Forexample, an exemplary embodiment of the module may be about 15 mm thick,and about 33 mm long and about 23 mm wide or thereabouts. However, othersized and/or shaped modules may be implemented while remaining withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

The backplate 542″ includes electrically conductive terminals 542 a″that terminate at a connector 542 b″ for electrically connecting theindicator module 518″ to an electrical wire or connector 548″ of thevehicle. The terminals 542 a″ connect to the PCB assembly 546″ toelectrically power or energize the illumination sources (such as twoamber LEDs 546 c″ and one red LED 546 d″) established thereon (othercircuitry, such as resistors and diodes and the like may also beestablished on the PCB assembly without affecting the scope of thepresent invention). The close-out element 544″ may comprise any suitablematerial to provide the desired appearance of the indicator module. Forexample, the close-out element 544″ may comprise an insert molded filmwith a 3M light control film (such as the types described in U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/783,496, filed Mar. 18, 2006; andInternational PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/18567, filed May 15, 2006by Donnelly Corp. for VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVEELEMENT, and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO2006/124682, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties), and may have a hard coat, graphics and/or diffusing elementestablished thereon or thereat.

As can be seen in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the close-out element 544″ includesan outer portion 544 a″ that has a larger perimeter than an innerportion 544 b″ of the element 544″. The outer portion may be countersunkor received in a recess formed in the mirror housing 514″ and at theaperture 514 b″, so that the outer surface of the outer portion 544 a″is substantially flush with the outer surface of the inner side of themirror housing 514″ when the indicator module 518″ is mounted to themirror housing 514″. The indicator module 518″ thus may be inserted orplugged into the mirror housing from the outside and the electricalconnection may be made before the module is plugged in or after (such asby reaching through another aperture 514 c″ in the housing 514″),whereby the outer surface of the indicator module is substantially flushwith the outer surface of the mirror housing. The cover or back cap 540″may be attached to the mirror housing to cover and/or close/seal theaperture 514 c″ at the housing.

Therefore, the blind spot indicator module of the present invention maycomprise a “plug-in” module that may be readily installed and connectedto the mirror housing and electrical wiring from the outside of themirror assembly. The indicator module is countersunk into an aperture inthe mirror housing so that the outer surfaces of the indicator moduleand the mirror housing end up being substantially flush with one anotherso as to preserve the vehicle styling and aerodynamic streamlining ofthe vehicle, and thus limit or substantially preclude creating any windnoise. Also, because the outer surfaces are substantially flush, theindicator module limits or avoids providing a site where frost, debrisor snow may gather.

The indicator module may thus be readily installed and connected at amirror assembly and the back cap or cover may be attached to the mirrorhousing to substantially close or seal the aperture or apertures atwhich the indicator module is installed. The cap or cover thus closesthe mirror housing and may also provide the desired exterior surface orstyling for the particular vehicle at which the mirror assembly isattached. The mirror assembly thus may be shipped with or without theindicator module, whereby the indicator module may be readily installedto the mirror assembly by an operator at the mirror manufacturer or atthe vehicle assembly plant or facility.

The indicator module may provide a standard or substantially universalmodule that establishes a seal at the aperture with the desired lightingand indicia for the blind spot detection system. The indicator modulemay provide a desired lighting and may direct or guide or control thelight in a desired direction. The cover or close-out element or customlens may be customized for the particular vehicle application, and mayprovide a desired or selected appearance for the indicator depending onthe particular vehicle application. For example, the custom lens orclose-out element may have an optical element (such as to transmit lightin a desired manner or direction) or other indicial or characteristicsdepending on the desired appearance and/or affect of the element that isdesired by the vehicle or mirror manufacturer.

The blind spot indicator module may include indicia or icons at the lenselement so that a person viewing the indicator module may readilydiscern the function of the module. During operation, the driver neednot recognize the icons, but only needs to recognize or discern that theamber or red illumination sources are activated. However, when themodule is not activated and a person is viewing the mirror assembly, theicons or indicia indicate the function of the indicator module so aperson viewing the mirror assembly recognizes that the module isassociated with a blind spot detection system. The icons thus arepreferably established at the surface of the lens element of theindicator module, such as by stenciling, printing, or the like (or byproviding optical facets or the like) so as to convey to theconsumer/viewer what the indicator module is for when it is not in use.The indicator module or unit (or cover or lens thereof) thus may includeor provide an icon or iconistic display that is indicative of thefunction of the indicator module, and that is discernible by the driverof the vehicle even when the icon or icons are not illuminated by theillumination source or illumination sources.

Desirably, the principal light radiating axis of the indicator module orunit coincides generally with a line drawn between the indicator moduleand the center of an eye ellipse of a driver sitting with the driverseat of the vehicle set at a standard position for that vehicle modeland such as is known in the automotive arts. Such a line angle may beestablished by the structure (such as by molding or the like of thestructure) of the indicator module housing and/or lens element or by themirror housing itself, or the line angle may established by how theindicator module is received in the mounting area of the mirror housing,or by any other suitable means. The angling or direction of theindicator module thus may be set via the mirror housing or the indicatormodule itself, and may be set according to the vehicle line orapplication and according to which side of the vehicle the indicatormodule is mounted.

The blind spot indicator or indicator module of the present inventionthus is positioned at the inboard portion of the exterior mirror andthus is positioned at an area that is readily viewable by the driver ofthe host vehicle. Because an exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle isformed to be angled for aerodynamic and aesthetic purposes, the exteriorrearview mirror typically has an inboard portion or wall of the casingthat is contoured or formed to be sloping outwardly and away from thevehicle, so as to provide a wall that is generally facing toward thedriver of the vehicle so that the portion is readily viewable by thedriver of the vehicle. This outwardly sloping portion or wall provides alocation for the blind spot/LCA indicator of the present invention,where the indicator is readily viewable by the driver of the hostvehicle, but is substantially hidden from the view of drivers of othervehicles at or near the host vehicle. Since the inboard wall or side orportion is not a primary viewing area, the blind spot indicator may belocated at this portion without adversely affecting the styling linesand appearance of the mirror assembly. Optionally, a cowling or coverelement or dome element or baffle or louver or the like may be providedat the mirror shell or support arm to further restrict the view of theindicator by drivers of other vehicles.

Typically, the mirror reflective element is recessed slightly within thecavity of the mirror shell, and it is not uncommon to have water beads,dirt, ice and the like build up in that area, since that area issheltered from and is not directly exposed to the wind or slip stream asthe vehicle travels along the road. By placing the indicator at theinboard wall or portion of the exterior mirror, the indicator is locatedin the slip stream and thus is exposed to the wind as the vehicletravels along the road. The blind spot indicator thus may be morevisible to the driver of the host vehicle, since ice build up and/ordebris build up is less likely in this area and since any water or iceor dirt or other debris or contaminants are often blown away from wherethe indicator is located, thus enhancing its visibility to the driver.Also, because the blind spot indicator is closer to the window (throughwhich the driver views the indicator), the indicator is more readilyviewable in fog or hazy conditions or other extreme weather conditions,such as during a snow storm or rain storm or the like, even if thedriver cannot readily view the minor reflective element of the exteriormirror.

The blind spot indicator thus is positioned at a location that is closerthan conventional or known external indicators (which are typicallylocated at the outboard upper corner of the reflective element) may beseen and discerned by the driver of the host vehicle even when thedriver is not viewing the reflective element of the exterior rearviewmirror. Because the blind spot indicator is located at the side orinboard portion of the mirror assembly or casing, the blind spotindicator may be relatively large (such as compared to indicators at thereflective element) to enhance viewing of the indicator, since the sizeof the indicator is not limited by the viewing requirements at thereflective element. For example, the blind spot indicator of the presentinvention may provide a viewing area dimension of preferably at leastabout one square centimeter, and more preferably at least about twosquare centimeters, and more preferably at least about four squarecentimeters. The size of the blind spot indicator thus may be selectedto provide a desired viewing area, and is less fettered by the designconstraints and regulations of the exterior mirror.

The blind spot indicator thus may be sized to provide the desiredappearance and viewability/discernibility and may be positioned at theinboard portion in a manner that does not interfere with the movableparts of the exterior minor assembly. Also, by locating the blind spotindicator at the inboard portion of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly, the indicator is naturally occluded by the exterior mirrorfrom the view of the driver of another vehicle or any other personoutside of the host vehicle. The blind spot indicator of the presentinvention thus may be provided at the desired size, shape and location,and thus provides the potential for enhanced flexibility in the designand implementation of the blind spot indicator, since the size, shapeand design of the indicator is not constrained by the regulations andlimitations otherwise applicable at the reflective element of theexterior mirror.

The blind spot indicator preferably is fixedly positioned at the inboardportion of the mirror assembly (such as substantially within the mirrorshell or casing and visible at the inner or inboard shell wall at ornear or adjacent to the driver side or passenger side front window,depending on whether it is a driver side or pass side mirror). However,it is envisioned that the blind spot indicator may be adjustable (suchas via a user input within the vehicle cabin) to direct the indicatortoward the particular driver's head area. The indicator may be adjustedby the driver of the host vehicle to enhance viewing of the indicator bythe driver. The indicator may be adjusted separately from any adjustmentof the reflective element so that the indicator may be adjusted towardthe driver's head area and irrespective of the desired adjustment of thereflective element of the exterior rearview mirror. The indicator andany adjustment or alignment thereof may utilize aspects of the alignmentdevice described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,982, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The blind spot indicator thus is operable to provide an indication tothe driver of the host vehicle that an object or other vehicle has beendetected in the lane or area adjacent to the side of the host vehicle.The blind spot indicator may be operable in association with a blindspot detection system, which may include an imaging sensor or sensors,or ultrasonic sensor or sensors, or sonar sensor or sensors or the like.For example, the blind spot detection system may utilize aspects of theblind spot detection and/or imaging systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786; and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al.for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577;Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580;and/or Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,881,496, and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/717,093,filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Lynam for DISPLAY DEVICE FOR EXTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR; Ser. No. 60/638,687, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by Higgins-Luthman forOBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17,2004 by Camilleri et al. for IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE;Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004; and/or Ser. No. 60/618,686,filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubinger for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, and/or ofthe reverse or backup aid systems, such as the rearwardly directedvehicle vision systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962;5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,717,610 and/or 6,757,109,and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003by McMahon et al. for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,005,974, and/or of the automatic headlamp controls described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093; and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005 by Schofield et al. for IMAGINGSYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,526,103; and/or U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/607,963, filed Sep. 8, 2004 by Schofield forIMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and/or of the rain sensors described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,250,148 and 6,341,523, and/or of other imaging systems, suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,353,392 and 6,313,454, whichmay utilize various imaging sensors or imaging array sensors or camerasor the like, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or othersensors or the like, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 6,097,023 and 5,796,094, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 by Schofieldet al. for VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,339,149; and/or Ser. No. 10/534,632, filed May 11, 2005 (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1118), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2003/036177 filedNov. 14, 2003, published Jun. 3, 2004 as PCT Publication No. WO2004/047421 A3, with all of the above referenced U.S. patents, patentapplications and provisional applications and PCT applications beingcommonly assigned and being hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Optionally, the indicator of the present invention may alert the driverof the host vehicle of other situations or status or the like. Forexample, the indicator could function to alert the driver of the hostvehicle that the brake lights of the host vehicle are functioningproperly. Other applications or uses of the indicator may beimplemented, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

The reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly may comprise anelectro-optic or electrochromic reflective element or cell, such as anelectrochromic mirror assembly and electrochromic reflective elementutilizing principles disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544;5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673;5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407; and/or4,712,879, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filedJan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/or Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1236), and/or U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/681,250, filed May 16, 2005; Ser. No. 60/690,400, filed Jun.14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005; Ser. No. 60/730,334,filed Oct. 26, 2005; Ser. No. 60/750,199, filed Dec. 14, 2005; and Ser.No. 60/774,449, filed Feb. 17, 2006; Ser. No. 60/783,496, filed Mar. 18,2006; and/or Ser. No. 60/692,113, filed Jun. 20, 2005; and/orInternational PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/18567, filed May 15, 2006by Donnelly Corp. for VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVEELEMENT, and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO2006/124682, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties, and/or as disclosed in the following publications: N.R. Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/Night Mirrors”, SAE TechnicalPaper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “Smart Windows forAutomobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam andA. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials”, LargeArea Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, C.M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., Optical Engineering Press, Wash.(1990), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. The thicknesses and materials of the coatings on thesubstrates of the electrochromic reflective element, such as on thethird surface of the reflective element assembly, may be selected toprovide a desired color or tint to the mirror reflective element, suchas a blue colored reflector, such as is known in the art and/or such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,910,854 and 6,420,036, and in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, and published Mar.9, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2006-0050356-A1, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,274,501, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Optionally, use of an elemental semiconductor mirror, such as a siliconmetal mirror, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,965; 6,196,688;5,535,056; 5,751,489; and 6,065,840, and/or in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVEELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, can beadvantageous because such elemental semiconductor mirrors (such as canbe formed by depositing a thin film of silicon) can be greater than 50percent reflecting in the photopic (SAE J964a measured), while beingalso substantially transmitting of light (up to 20 percent or evenmore). Such silicon mirrors also have the advantage of being able to bedeposited onto a flat glass substrate and to be bent into a curved (suchas a convex or aspheric) curvature, which is also advantageous sincemany passenger-side exterior rearview mirrors are bent or curved.

Optionally, the reflective element may include a perimeter metallicband, such as the types described in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776,filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004 as International Publication No, WO2004/026633; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5,2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENTASSEMBLY, and published May 21, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/042457; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/021,065, filedDec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No.US-2006-0050356-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762,filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; and/or Ser. No.11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1236); and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/692,113, filed Jun. 20, 2005;Ser. No. 60/677,990, filed May 5, 2005; Ser. No. 60/653,787, filed Feb.17, 2005; Ser. No. 60/642,227, filed Jan. 7, 2005; Ser. No. 60/638,250,filed Dec. 21, 2004; Ser. No. 60/624,091, filed Nov. 1, 2004, and Ser.No. 60/609,642, filed Sep. 14, 2004, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the reflectiveelement may include indicia formed at and viewable at the reflectiveelement, such as by utilizing aspects of the reflective elementsdescribed in U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/681,250, filedMay 16, 2005; Ser. No. 60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005; Ser. No.60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005; Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct. 26,2005; Ser. No. 60/750,199, filed Dec. 14, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/774,449,filed Feb. 17, 2006; Ser. No. 60/783,496, filed Mar. 18, 2006, andInternational PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/18567, filed May 15, 2006by Donnelly Corp. for VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVEELEMENT, and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO2006/124682, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Although shown and described as an electro-optic or electrochromicreflective element assembly or cell, the reflective element may comprisea single substrate with a reflective coating at its rear surface,without affecting the scope of the present invention. The mirrorassembly thus may comprise a prismatic mirror assembly or other mirrorhaving a single substrate reflective element, such as a mirror assemblyutilizing aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,598,980;5,327,288; 4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371; and 4,435,042; and PCTApplication No. PCT/US04/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by DonnellyCorporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published Dec.2, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,249,860; and/or Ser. No. 10/556,754, filed Nov. 15, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,289,037, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. Optionally, the reflective element may comprise aconventional prismatic or flat reflective element or prism, or maycomprise a prismatic or flat reflective element of the types describedin PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr.1, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/709,434, filed May 5, 2004 by Lynam for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,756; Ser. No. 10/933,842,filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec.23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/556,754, filed Nov. 15, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,289,037; and/or Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynamfor MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,338,177, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, andpublished Dec. 2, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more displays, suchas the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,and/or display-on-demand or transflective type displays, such as thetypes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187,and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22,2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,195,381; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. forELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No.10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No.10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; Ser. No.10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEMFOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1123); Ser. No. 11/226,628, filedSep. 14, 2005 by Kamer et al. (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1236); Ser. No.10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/orSer. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983,and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, andpublished Apr. 1, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633;and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, andpublished May 21, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/042457;and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov.22, 2004 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; Ser.No. 60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLYWITH VIDEO DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/629,926, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by McCabeet al. for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL; Ser. No.60/531,838, filed Dec. 23, 2003; Ser. No. 60/553,842, filed Mar. 17,2004; and Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004, and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or may include orincorporate video displays or the like, such as the types described inPCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al.for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1123); and/orSer. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983,and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov.22, 2004 by Lynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY; andSer. No. 60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRRORASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include an imaging device, such asan imaging array sensor for imaging systems of the types described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,396,397; 6,201,642; 6,353,392;6,313,454; 6,396,397; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 5,877,897;6,097,023; and 6,498,620, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 by Schofield et al, for VEHICLEHEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,339,149, andSer. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al. for OBJECTDETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attaching to an exterior side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system; a unitary indicator module disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said plurality of illumination sources is disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of said unitary indicator module; wherein light emitted by any of said plurality of illumination sources passes through said at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said unitary indicator module is disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly and when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said unitary indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water; wherein said unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle; and wherein said unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle.
 2. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said unitary indicator module provides a first indication when no other vehicle is detected in a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached, a second indication when another vehicle is detected that is approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and a third indication when another vehicle is detected that is at least partially occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 3. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said first, second and third indications provide at least one of (a) first, second and third color indications and (b) first, second and third indication modulations.
 4. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a multi-stage unitary indicator module and wherein said multi-stage unitary indicator module is operable to provide (a) a first indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects that a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle is clear, (b) a second indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and (c) a third indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 5. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of illumination sources comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
 6. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of illumination sources comprises a plurality of organic light emitting diodes.
 7. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion includes an icon.
 8. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a circuit element with circuitry established thereon.
 9. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion comprises an insert molded film with a light control film.
 10. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said control signal is provided by a lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle.
 11. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 10, wherein said lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle comprises at least one of (a) an imaging sensor, (b) a radar sensor, (c) an ultrasonic sensor and (d) a sonar sensor.
 12. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a light directing element for directing light emitted by any of said illumination sources toward the exterior side of the equipped vehicle at which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to enhance viewing of said unitary indicator module by the driver of the equipped vehicle when at least one of said illumination sources is actuated, and to decrease viewability by other road users.
 13. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a housing, and wherein said housing includes at least one attaching element for attaching said unitary indicator module at a mirror casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.
 14. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within an aperture of said mirror casing.
 15. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 14, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion is one of (a) substantially flush with an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing and (b) slightly to moderately proud of an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing.
 16. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion comprises a light transmitting lens.
 17. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing and a reflective element adjustably supported within said mirror casing, and wherein said mirror casing has an inboard portion that faces generally toward the exterior side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said unitary indicator module is disposed at said inboard portion of said mirror casing.
 18. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said inboard portion of said mirror casing is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at the exterior side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said inboard portion of said mirror casing is substantially not directly viewed by drivers of other vehicles when the other vehicles are overtaking the equipped vehicle from the rear of the equipped vehicle at a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle at which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road.
 19. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said mirror casing, and wherein said unitary indicator module comprises at least one icon that is indicative of the function of said unitary indicator module irrespective of actuation of any of said illumination sources.
 20. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources passing through said at least partially light transmitting portion is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources is generally not viewed by other road users when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road.
 21. An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attaching to an exterior side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system; a unitary indicator module disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said plurality of illumination sources is disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of said unitary indicator module; wherein light emitted by any of said plurality of illumination sources passes through said at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said unitary indicator module is disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly and when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said unitary indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water; wherein said unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said detected presence of another vehicle is responsive to a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle that comprises at least one of (a) an imaging sensor and (b) a radar sensor; and wherein said unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle.
 22. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said unitary indicator module provides a first indication when no other vehicle is detected in a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached, a second indication when another vehicle is detected that is approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and a third indication when another vehicle is detected that is at least partially occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 23. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein said first, second and third indications provide at least one of (a) first, second and third color indications and (b) first, second and third indication modulations.
 24. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a multi-stage unitary indicator module and wherein said multi-stage unitary indicator module is operable to provide (a) a first indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects that a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle is clear, (b) a second indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and (c) a third indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 25. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion includes an icon, and wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion comprises an insert molded film with a light control film, and wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a circuit element with circuitry established thereon.
 26. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a housing, and wherein said housing includes at least one attaching element for attaching said unitary indicator module at a mirror casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.
 27. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 26, wherein said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within an aperture of said mirror casing, and wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion is one of (a) substantially flush with an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing and (b) slightly to moderately proud of an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing.
 28. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources passing through said at least partially light transmitting portion is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources is generally not viewed by other road users when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road.
 29. An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attaching to an exterior side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system; a unitary indicator module disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a plurality of illumination sources and wherein said plurality of illumination sources is disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of said unitary indicator module; wherein light emitted by any of said plurality of illumination sources passes through said at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said unitary indicator module is disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly and when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle; wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources passing through said at least partially light transmitting portion is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein light emitted by any of said illumination sources is generally not viewed by other road users when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road; wherein said unitary indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water; wherein said unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said detected presence of another vehicle is responsive to a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle that comprises a radar sensor; and wherein said unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle.
 30. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 29, wherein said unitary indicator module provides a first indication when no other vehicle is detected in a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached, a second indication when another vehicle is detected that is approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and a third indication when another vehicle is detected that is at least partially occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 31. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 30, wherein said first, second and third indications provide at least one of (a) first, second and third color indications and (b) first, second and third indication modulations.
 32. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 29, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a multi-stage unitary indicator module and wherein said multi-stage unitary indicator module is operable to provide (a) a first indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects that a side lane adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle is clear, (b) a second indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle in the side lane, and (c) a third indication when a driver assist system of the equipped vehicle detects a vehicle occupying a side lane area adjacent to the exterior side of the equipped vehicle to which said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached.
 33. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 29, wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion includes an icon, and wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion comprises an insert molded film with a light control film, and wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a circuit element with circuitry established thereon.
 34. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 29, wherein said unitary indicator module comprises a housing, and wherein said housing includes at least one attaching element for attaching said unitary indicator module at a mirror casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.
 35. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within an aperture of said mirror casing, and wherein said at least partially light transmitting portion is one of (a) substantially flush with an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing and (b) slightly to moderately proud of an outer surface of said mirror casing when said unitary indicator module is at least partially received within said aperture of said mirror casing. 